Melissa Goldstein

For some, London conjures a mix of Mary Poppins, Hugh Grant, and Harrods. But this is half the story at best—in fact, the western half. In the run-up to the 2012 Summer Olympics, East London is more accessible to visitors than ever, thanks in large part to the extended East London rail line, which connects the city center with stops in key neighborhoods like Shoreditch, Dalston, Haggerston, and Whitechapel. Here's where to stay, eat and what to see.

Call it a superiority complex, but culture-obsessed SF has long labeled this sister city superficial—a navel-gazer that cornered the market on plastic surgery, smog, and alfresco power lunches. But in recent years, Los Angeles has grown up, cementing its reputation as a tastemaker in the arts, with major players flocking to the party.